(L-r) Dr. Bernadette Ruf, chair of the Dept. of Accounting, Economics & Finance; Provost Alton Thompson; Dr. Shelton Rhodes, dean of the College of Business; and Dr. Youngsik Kwak, associate dean of the College of Business, get together to celebrate the news that the COB has maintained its AACSB International accreditation.

College of Business' International AACSB Accreditation Reaffirmed

Posted: January 10, 2013

Delaware State University’s College of Business has maintained its business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. Today, there are more than 650 business schools in 45 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation. Similarly, 178 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs.

Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

“It takes a great deal of commitment and determination to earn and maintain AACSB Accreditation,” said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “Business schools must not only meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty and professional staff must make a commitment to ongoing continuous improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver the highest quality of education to students.”

The reaffirmation of the DSU College of Business’ AACSB International accreditation includes its academic programs in accounting, management, as well as hospitality and tourism management. The College of Business also has one of the best advisement centers among DSU colleges and engages in extensive outreach through its Delaware Center for Enterprise Development and its University Center for Economic Development and Trade.

In addition to AACSB accredited programs, the College of Business also offers degree programs in aviation and sport management.

The College of Business earned its initial AACSB accreditation in December 2006.

Dr. Harry L. Williams, president of Delaware State University, said the faculty and staff of the College of Business are to be commended for maintaining the high standard that the AACSB requires.

“As we continue on our journey toward becoming the top University among Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S., it is critical that our accredited academic programs maintain the standards of excellence that make Delaware State University the institution where students can achieve their educational and professional aspirations,” said Dr. Williams. “Maintaining an accredited level of academic performance ensures that DSU will continue to produce the future generations of successful business leaders, managers, executives and entrepreneurs that will help fuel the economy of our country.”

Dr. Alton Thompson, DSU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said he is pleased that AACSB International recognizes the high quality, market relevance and rigor of the academic programs and talented faculty in the College of Business.

“Since less than five percent of business schools are AACSB accredited, our graduates have a competitive advantage when they go out into the marketplace for employment or when they apply for admissions into graduate and professional programs,” Dr. Thompson said.

The dean of the College of Business is Dr. Shelton Rhodes, who has been in that academic leadership post since May 2011.

“AACSB is world renowned as the ultimate stamp of excellence for business schools and colleges. The maintenance of this coveted recognition of quality reflects the commitment of our College of Business faculty and staff to continuous improvement,” Dr. Rhodes said. “Success in maintaining AACSB accreditation requires a team effort, and this victory was earned by our faculty and staff on behalf of our students.”

AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, is an association of more than 1,300 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 81countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Fla. and its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore.